Overview
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is one of Europe's best value-for-money cities. Living here is 30-40% cheaper than London, 25-35% cheaper than Berlin or Milan, and significantly more affordable than Amsterdam or Paris.
The Canary Islands tax advantage
The Canary Islands apply IGIC (Impuesto General Indirecto Canario) at 7% instead of mainland Spain's 21% VAT. This translates to lower prices across restaurants, supermarkets, services and retail. The difference is particularly noticeable in dining and groceries.
Climate and lifestyle
With an average annual temperature of 21 °C, Las Palmas allows an outdoor lifestyle year-round. This cuts heating costs (virtually unnecessary) and encourages free activities like walking along Las Canteras beach, hiking volcanic trails or enjoying public parks.
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Accommodation
Accommodation is the biggest expense. Prices vary significantly depending on the type and length of stay.
Prices by type of stay
| Accommodation type | Price range | Notes |
|---------------------|-------------|-------|
| Holiday rental (short stay) | €90-150/night | Fully equipped apartments like [Casita Palmera](/en/) |
| Monthly furnished rental | €800-1,500/month | Areas such as Las Canteras, Triana, Mesa y Lopez |
| Long-term unfurnished | €600-1,200/month | 1-year contracts, 2-month deposit |
| Coliving | €600-900/month | Includes utilities, wifi and communal areas |
| Shared room | €350-550/month | Popular with budget-conscious digital nomads |
Areas and indicative prices (monthly rent)
| Area | Studio/1 bed | 2 bedrooms |
|------|-------------|------------|
| Las Canteras | €700-1,100 | €900-1,500 |
| Triana / Vegueta | €600-950 | €800-1,300 |
| Mesa y Lopez | €650-1,000 | €850-1,400 |
| Guanarteme | €550-850 | €750-1,200 |
| Alcaravaneras | €500-800 | €700-1,100 |
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Food and Groceries
Food in Las Palmas is excellent quality and very competitively priced compared to the rest of Europe.
Supermarket shopping
| Item | Price |
|------|-------|
| Litre of milk | €0.85-1.10 |
| Dozen eggs | €1.80-2.50 |
| Bread (baguette) | €0.80-1.20 |
| Rice (1 kg) | €1.00-1.50 |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | €5.50-7.00 |
| Seasonal fruit (1 kg) | €1.50-3.00 |
| Fresh vegetables (1 kg) | €1.00-2.50 |
| Bottle of wine | €3-8 |
| Beer (6-pack) | €3.50-5.00 |
| Monthly grocery total | €200-300/person |
The main supermarkets are Mercadona, HiperDino (local Canarian chain) and Lidl. The Vegueta Market sells fresh local produce at good prices.
Eating out
| Item | Price |
|------|-------|
| Coffee (latte/flat white) | €1.20-1.80 |
| Draught beer (caña) | €2-3 |
| Menu del dia (starter + main + dessert + drink) | €10-15 |
| Dinner at mid-range restaurant | €15-25/person |
| Fast food (burger + drink) | €7-10 |
| Tapa / pincho | €2.50-5 |
| Glass of wine at a bar | €2.50-4 |
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Transport
Las Palmas is a fairly compact city and the Las Canteras area is especially walkable: the beach, restaurants, supermarkets and nightlife are all within walking distance.
Transport prices
| Mode | Price |
|------|-------|
| Single bus ticket (guagua) | €1.40 |
| 10-trip bus card | €8.50 |
| Monthly bus pass (Global) | €42 |
| Taxi airport to Las Canteras | €35-45 |
| Taxi within the city | €5-12 |
| Car hire | €20-35/day |
| Petrol | €1.45/litre |
| City centre parking | €1.20-1.80/hour |
Getting around tips
- The municipal bus service (Guaguas Municipales) covers the entire city with good frequency.
- For island excursions, hiring a car is worthwhile: rental rates in the Canaries are among the cheapest in Spain.
- The Global inter-city bus connects Las Palmas to Maspalomas (€6.30), Teror, Arucas and other towns.
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Utilities and Internet
Monthly costs for an apartment
| Item | Monthly price |
|------|---------------|
| Electricity | €50-80 |
| Water | €15-25 |
| Gas (butane canister) | €15-18 (every 2-3 months) |
| Fibre broadband (600 Mbps) | €30-40 |
| Mobile phone (10-20 GB) | €15-25 |
| Total utilities | €110-170/month |
In holiday rentals like Casita Palmera, utilities, high-speed wifi and cleaning are included in the nightly rate. This simplifies budget planning for short and medium stays.
The main telecoms providers are Movistar, Vodafone, Orange and Digi (the cheapest mobile option, from €3/month).
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Entertainment and Leisure
One of the biggest draws of Las Palmas is the sheer number of free or low-cost activities available all year round.
Activity prices
| Activity | Price |
|----------|-------|
| Surf lesson (2 hours, equipment included) | €35 |
| SUP (stand up paddle) rental | €15/hour |
| Bodyboard hire | €10/hour |
| Gym membership (monthly) | €25-40 |
| Cinema ticket | €7-9 |
| Museum (Atlantic Centre of Modern Art, etc.) | €4-8 |
| Many museums | Free |
| Guided boat trip | €30-50 |
| Yoga class | €8-12 |
| Beer at a bar / terrace | €2-3 |
| Cocktail | €6-10 |
| Nightclub entry | €10-15 (includes one drink) |
Free activities
- Las Canteras beach (4 km of golden sand)
- Walking the historic quarter of Vegueta
- Hiking the Caldera de Bandama
- Vegueta Sunday market
- Open-air concerts and cultural events
- Watching the sunset from El Confital
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Comparison with European Cities
Estimated monthly cost for a single person (studio/1-bed rent included):
| Category | Las Palmas | Barcelona | Berlin | Milan | Amsterdam | London |
|----------|-----------|-----------|--------|-------|-----------|--------|
| Rent (studio) | €700 | €1,000 | €950 | €1,050 | €1,400 | €1,800 |
| Meal out | €12 | €15 | €14 | €16 | €18 | €20 |
| Coffee | €1.40 | €1.80 | €3.50 | €1.50 | €3.50 | €4.00 |
| Beer | €2.50 | €3.50 | €4.00 | €5.00 | €5.50 | €6.50 |
| Monthly transport | €42 | €40 | €49 | €39 | €100 | €160 |
| Groceries | €250 | €300 | €300 | €320 | €350 | €400 |
| Monthly total | €1,800 | €2,400 | €2,500 | €2,600 | €3,200 | €3,800 |
Las Palmas offers average savings of 30-50% compared to major European capitals, with an incomparably better climate and direct beach access.
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Monthly Budget Examples
Budget traveller: €1,500-2,000/month
- Shared room or basic studio: €400-600
- Cooking at home most days: €200-250
- Bus transport: €42
- Modest leisure (beach, hiking, occasional beer): €100-150
- Utilities (if not included): €100
Comfortable stay: €2,500-3,500/month
- 1-bedroom apartment in a good area: €800-1,100
- Mix of home cooking and eating out: €400-550
- Transport (bus + occasional taxi): €80-120
- Leisure (surf, gym, restaurants, cinema): €200-350
- Utilities and internet: €130-160
- Coworking space: €150-200
Premium level: €4,000+/month
- 2-bedroom seafront apartment: €1,200-1,500
- Frequent dining out: €600-800
- Hire car: €500-700
- Unrestricted leisure and activities: €400+
- Utilities and internet: €150-170
Digital nomad: €2,000-3,000/month
- Studio or coliving: €600-900
- Mixed food budget: €300-400
- Coworking (The House, Soppa de Azul): €100-200
- Broadband or cafe wifi: €0-40
- Leisure: €150-250
- Transport: €50-80
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FAQ
Is Las Palmas cheaper than mainland Spain?
Yes. Las Palmas is 15-25% cheaper than Madrid or Barcelona across most categories. The IGIC advantage (7% versus 21% VAT) makes a noticeable difference, particularly for dining out and groceries.
How much money do I need per day as a tourist?
A mid-range budget of €80-120 per day covers holiday rental accommodation, meals, transport and activities. Budget travellers can manage on €50-70/day by self-catering and choosing basic accommodation.
Do I need a car in Las Palmas?
Not for a city-based stay. The Las Canteras area is very walkable and municipal buses cover the whole city. A car is only worthwhile for island excursions (the mountainous interior, the southern beaches, historic villages). Daily hire costs around €20-35.
How much does coliving cost per month?
Between €600 and €900 per month, typically including wifi, communal area cleaning, coworking access and social activities. It is the most popular option among digital nomads looking for community without committing to a long-term lease.